Custom Home Building

This month is the time of giving thanks, but it also signals the end of another year. We have just one month left of 2018, which will be filled with holiday festivities and deadlines – leaving little time to start planning those New Year’s resolutions! Now is a great time to start thinking about what you want to change or improve – including your home.

If you’ve been thinking about making a change and moving into a new home, this is the perfect opportunity. By planning now, you can finally have all of the features in your home that you’ve always dreamed of.

Start by thinking of design styles you love, and taking inspiration from homes you’ve always admired. Create a list of your priorities – do you have a growing family and need a safer home with more space for children and pets? Or maybe you’re retiring and want more luxury features to relax and spend more time at home. By building a custom home, YOU get to choose what goes into your plan.

We know that selling your home and buying or building a new home is a huge endeavor, and starting early makes all the difference. Thankfully, the Schneider Customer Builders team is also here to make it easier! Whether your project is big or small, we give every effort the same attention to detail. We’re here to decrease the stress involved with large and small home projects from start to finish.

Our commitment to homeowners means you’ll get an honest assessment of your projects, a fair price and quality craftsmanship that you simply won’t find in the handyman or remodeling trades. Take a look at our project gallery, and give us a call today (757) 819-4466 to discuss how we can do the same for you. It’s not too late!

It’s that time of year again: temperatures are dropping, the holiday season is on everyone’s mind and it’s time to cozy up inside your home. This time of year also means it’s time to turn your heating system on to stay comfortable. If you’re looking for ways to keep your home warm without driving up energy costs, check out these cold weather tips to improve home efficiency:

Routine maintenance. If you haven’t had your HVAC system and appliances serviced in a while, now is a good time to do so. This will ensure your system is functioning efficiently BEFORE you crank it on cold days. It’s also a good idea to check on your insulation and weather stripping around windows and doors.

Use windows to your advantage. Your windows can set the mood and temperature of your home more than you may realize. Let the light in during the day so the sun can naturally warm your home, and keep curtains closed at night to help block the cold radiating from window glass.

Use your thermostat wisely. We understand it’s important to feel comfortable in your home, but when you are away during the day or on a weekend trip, turning your heat down a few degrees will help keep your energy bills lower.

Small touches. Some smaller touches can change the comfort of your home quickly, like adding rugs in rooms with wood or tile floors, changing the direction of your ceiling fans to distribute warm air better and closing the doors to colder rooms you don’t use frequently.

If you are buying or building family-friendly home, or improving upon your existing home with a custom renovation, we would love to talk with you! Give Schneider Custom Builders a call and let us help you take that first step toward your dream home: 757-819-4466.

One of the best parts of building a home over buying is the ability to add features based on your habits and personality. For instance, if you have a large family and love to keep lots of snacks and food in the kitchen, you can add more pantry space and have a bigger kitchen.

If you want a quiet living room to relax in front of the television that is separate from the area your children will be watching disney movies, you can add a recreation room. However, many homeowners forget about the other luxuries of custom building – the rooms you see in magazines but never think about adding to your own home. Here are a few examples from recent Schneider projects:

An in-home sauna. For the homeowner who works long hours and needs a space to relax, or the fitness and wellness enthusiast, an at-home sauna is the perfect feature to have in your home. You’ll never have to sit uncomfortably in a public gym or spa when you have one available just down the hall.

Wine and cigar room. If you love to entertain and throw holiday parties, or host gatherings, a wine and cigar room could be the perfect addition to your home. Whether it’s in-sight to impress your guests, or out of view as your own private retreat, this feature will make your home the place to be.

Home library. Maybe you already have a home office and it feels too busy, or maybe your living room has become too cluttered as you collected books throughout the years. Either way, a home library is the best way to keep your book collection out of sight and provide the quiet space you need to focus while you read or study. You can even add your own library ladder for those hard-to-reach books!

If you’re ready to customize your home during your build or remodel to finally have the luxury space you deserve, give Schneider Custom Builders a call at (757) 819-4466 and let us help you take that first step toward your dream home.

One of the most important features any home buyer or apartment renter looks for is windows. If you are building a new home or remodeling your current home, adding lots of windows can open your space and let in natural light, but placing them strategically can be beneficial in other ways. Here’s what we mean:

To wake up refreshed: They say that the healthiest way to wake up in the morning is not with a loud alarm clock or by hitting the snooze button on your cell phone several times, but by waking up naturally with the sun. However, those who work nighttime jobs might not appreciate direct sun in the morning nearly as much. Our designers can help you determine the best window placement so that you’ll wake up more refreshed.

To save on electric bills: Most Homeowners love the ability to open windows and let fresh air in after a long winter or summer or spending money to keep their home comfortable. With more windows in rooms you use often, your home will be cooler with more airflow. You can also use window placement to save on bills in the winter! Larger windows that let in lots of sunlight can help heat your home naturally during the colder months, allowing you to take a break from cranking the heat during daylight hours.

For curb appeal: When deciding where to place windows based on the position of sun and airflow, you’ll still need to consider how your windows will look from the outside of the home. For instance, you won’t want an array of different sized windows that will look awkward next to each other, or windows on one side of the home spaced differently than the windows on the other side. Keeping your window placement even and symmetrical will give your home higher curb appeal.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of deciding where to place windows in your new home, don’t worry! The experts at Schneider Custom Builders will help you get through every step of the process to get the most out of your windows. Give us a call today at (757) 819-4466 to discuss your needs, and let’s get started on your dream house!

Summer is finally here, which means you’re to spend more time outside and enjoy relaxing with family and friends. It also means that this is the time of year when families have the most free time, and you’re probably ready to finally get started on your home build or remodel. Balancing both can be tough, especially when there is work to be done but another day at the beach sounds better.

Thankfully, the team at Schneider Custom Builders is here and ready to help you jump start your summer project.

Throughout our reviews, one of the most common pieces of feedback we receive is our ability to take your ideas and use them to find the best options for your home based on materials and structure. We work closely with all of our clients to meet individual needs, while making sure they also have a home they and their family will enjoy for a lifetime. With our combined experience and knowledge of quality products and designers, we know you’ll enjoy the way your home looks and feel. Even better, you’ll likely end up with a design that is even better than what you envisioned!

For instance, Ervin J. says, “We knew what we wanted, but Jim and his staff helped us to get there by pointing out flaws and offering suggestions. He knows what he is doing, particularly with framing and structure.”

Whether your project is big or small, we give every effort the same attention to detail. We’re here to decrease the stress involved with large and small home projects from start to finish. Our commitment to homeowners means you’ll get an honest assessment of your projects, a fair price and quality craftsmanship that you simply won’t find in the handyman or remodeling trades.

Take a look at our project gallery, and give us a call today (757) 819-4466 to discuss how we can do the same for you. It’s not too late!

One of the biggest things to consider when working with a designer to build a home is this: will it be a family space? Although it might seem like any home can be family space, there are small things to consider that can make a huge difference. For instance:

Do you, or will you have children in your home? This will determine whether you’ll want to build a spare room where your children will be able to play and create, to keep mess and noise in one area. It can also matter for safety – for instance, carpeted stairs are safer for children than wood floored stairs, and rounded edges on countertops can be safer when little ones are running around!

Will you have older family members in your home? Railings on stairways, spare bedrooms downstairs, walk-in showers, higher outlets and other small considerations can make everyday life easier for elderly family members who are visiting or staying with you.

Will you have pets in your home? Pets can make a huge difference in the type of flooring you choose for your home, as well as your outdoor spaces. If you are planning on having dogs in your home, you might not want to go with an expensive hardwood floor because you run the risk of scratches. If you have pets that enjoy the outdoors, you may want to consider a fenced outdoor space or a screened porch so they can spend time outside without constant supervision.

If you are buying or building family-friendly home, or improve upon your existing home with a custom renovation, we would love to talk with you! Give Schneider Custom Builders a call and let us help you take that first step toward your dream home: 757-819-4466.

With summer approaching, more and more people are planning for vacations. This means they are either on the lookout for rentals for their family and friends, or working on building or renovating a home of their own to rent to others.

If you’re one of these summertime planners, you know that not just any house is the perfect vacation spot. Vacation homes are carefully planned to fit a specific aesthetic, accommodate large numbers of people and provide a relaxing atmosphere.

So, how do you build the perfect vacation home? As always, our designers and builders are equipped with right tools and experience to help you through the process, but here are a few considerations of your own to make:

Space: How many people will your home accommodate? Keep this in mind throughout the design process not only to choose the number of bedrooms, but also for considering the size and function of other rooms. How big should the dining area be? Is the kitchen equipped to fit the hustle and bustle of dinnertime with a large number of helpers? Are there enough bathrooms?

Atmosphere: No one wants to spend a summer vacation or winter retreat inside of a dark and confined home. Use window placements to let light in at the right time and provide peaceful views (especially in an oceanfront house), and keep ceilings high to help the space feel large and airy.

Style: Even in a vacation home, exterior and interior style can differ from house to house. Some homeowners prefer to go with a complete beach or coastal theme, while others like to maintain a classic or modern style with just hints of waterfront living. Our experts are great at blending styles, helping your home fit in with the surrounding community while still standing out to possible renters.

If you’re ready to get started on creating the perfect vacation home, give us a call at (757) 819-4466 or visit our office today!

Every future homeowner hopes the homebuilding process is a seamless one from breaking ground to move in day. This is where working with the right contractor can make a significant difference. That said, you may not know WHAT items should be on your Contractor Wish List, so here are some things to consider as you search:

They Communicate Effectively and OftenA great contractor knows how important it is to keep YOU, the client, in the loop. They understand this is your dream home, and want it to reflect your family. This requires open, constant and effective communication. Ask potential contractors about their communication process, and ask for references! Reading through reviews and making a few calls will tell you what you need to know about their communication skills.

They Develop and Stick To Realistic BudgetsA great contractor knows you have a budget and want to stick to it. They’ll take this into consideration as you work together to build your home. When you meet with them, do they promise you the moon? Take a step back and make sure what is being offered is possible within your set budget. Are they honest about limitations? This openness is essential. The right contractor knows right away whether or not a request you make is possible within your budget, and consistently makes choices and provides options that reflect this.

They Offer Design Ideas To Improve The Overall Finished HomeA great contractor offers ideas to compliment your design vision. Designing an entire house can be a challenge- a fun challenge- but a challenge nonetheless. Clients bring a lot of great ideas to the table. After all, you know what you’re looking for. Contractors bring knowledge as to what does and does not tend to work. Your contractor should be able to marry the two well. Your new ideas + their experience should always equal the perfect home for your family. Take a look at their past homes. Do you like the final outcomes? Is there a variety? Does the design throughout the home seem to flow? If you answer “Yes” to all of those, you’re likely off to a great start.

They Offer a Warranty and Follow-Up ServiceA great contractor stands behind their work. Does your contractor offer a warranty and follow-up service? Be sure the answer to this is “YES”.

These are just a few of the things a great contractor will provide. Schneider Custom Builders offers all of this, and so much more. Give us a call today at 757.819.4466 to discuss your needs, and let’s get started on your dream house!

Building your dream home is a rewarding, exciting experience, but fear often keeps people from pursuing it. We love seeing the joy clients experience as they go through the process of turning their ideas into a home. Here are some reasons you can trust Schneider Custom Homes to make the process easy, fun and rewarding:

ExperienceOur business started in 1984 and has grown leaps and bounds since then. We have decades of experience working with architects and designers to build beautiful residential homes (including vacation and retirement).

We have established quality partnerships with experts in all areas of home building. These relationships help us as we strive to build the perfect home for you and your family. We enjoy an excellent reputation in our area, including the Eastern Shore. We’ve spent years learning the best practices for a business like ours, to the point of perfectionism, some might say.

Design BuildAfter we meet to discuss exactly what you’d like in your custom home, we’ll start with a design agreement. This helps ensure we’re all on the same page from the beginning. Next, we’ll put your ideas to paper. This is when things start getting exciting- There’s nothing like seeing your dream start taking shape!

Once the initial design is approved, we create computer-aided design files, finalize the design and the pricing, and we get started! We involve you in the entire process start to finish, and even offer an Owner Maintenance Program for those who are interested in having us help with future maintenance needs.

ArchitectsWe know that a successful project requires a great architect, and we’ve assembled the best of the best. We are known for working to bring everyone involved in a project together. Our flexibility lets us address changes quickly and succcessufuly.

Warranty We stand behind the work we do, but we know things go wrong sometimes. We offer a great home owner warranty that includes 1 year workmanship, 2 year systems, and 10 year structural coverage.

If you’re ready to put our years of experience to work for you, give us a call today at 757.819.4466. It’s time to get started!

Dreaming up your custom dream home can be an exciting but daunting task. With so many design options available, it can be difficult to narrow it down, but here are some tips to get you started, and help break the process down:

Make a ListBegin by making a list of the non-negotiable items. These are the features you know your new home must have. Is there a specific kitchen design you’ve always dreamed of? A particular type of entryway? Most of the time when a customer is planning their dream home, they can easily list a few things they can’t live without. Start there!

Visualize Your New HomeAs you search for ideas, be sure to bookmark any ideas you really love. You can create a dream board from magazine clippings, or use the ever popular Pinterest. Use whatever method works best for you. You may realize your style evolves as you work room by room to create the big picture, which is why visualization is so important. And, of course, bring those ideas when you meet with our team to talk about your dream home!

Plan AheadOften we want to plan for the life we’re leading right now, but be sure and think ahead to what the future might hold. Are you planning to add to your family? Will you need a space for an elderly relative to stay in the future? While we can’t predict everything that’s to come, it’s a good idea to build your home with possibilities in mind. We can always add on to homes, or make necessary remodels, but planning ahead can save you a lot of time, stress and money.

Check out our new Custom Home GalleryWe work with countless design styles, and we know we can take your dream and turn it into a reality. If you don’t see something you like, don’t worry, we’re a phone call away or you can visit our office and spend time with our design team to develop a home that is uniquely yours.

Latest News on Facebook:

About Schneider Custom Builders

We are a custom home builder in new home construction for a vacation home, retirement home, or family home, and, we are also a home remodeling company that excels at any home repair, kitchen renovations, kitchen remodeling, bath renovations, bathroom remodeling, and room additions in Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Bay Creek and the Eastern Shore.